Product Description

'My name is Ronnie Thompson. Being a prison officer was something I used to be proud of. I soon realised the truth of what its like working as a screw, though.It's afucking headache. Corruption, danger, violence. Welcome to my world.'

Ronnie Thompson was just an ordinary guy. That is, until hebecame a prison officer. By the time he started work at HMP Romwell, he realised he was actually a nurse, a copper, a probation officer, a carer, a councillor, a social worker and, of course, an incarcerator all in one. Oh, and a punch bag for the cons and bosses.

In SCREWED, Ronnie tells it like it is. Hereveals what really goes on behind bars-the times when force is necessary and used, and when it is unnecessary but still used.He exposes the underworld of bent screws, the drugs they traffic, the firms they work for and what they get paid for their sins.He shows how it is left down to a small group of officers to control an over-flowing prison, keep an eye out for corrupt govenors, and dodge the deluded human rights campaigners. Ultimately, he shows us that being a good screw doesnt always mean sticking to the rules...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18914 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review

'Screwed is a sympathetic and eye-opening account of life behind bars'

'Uncompromisingly forthright... his views cannot be ignored... Of the utmost importance to anyone who wants to really understand what life is like at penal ground zero'

About the Author
Ronnie Thompson is an ex-prison officer. He saw more corruption and violence in his years in the service than most people see in a lifetime. Ronnie lives with his partner and their two children.  

Customer Reviews

Screwed
Screwed is one hell of a book. It grabs you from the start and reveals everything you could ever want to know about life as a prison guard, and a fair few things you'll wish you didn't know! If you were thinking you might want to be a prison officer one day then you absolutely must read this book first. The author Ronnie Thompson delves into every possible scenario you can imagine about what goes on inside. You get an insiders look at what sort of treatment the prisoners get, why some of them get preferrential treatment (usually the ones that least deserve it), and you also get an insight into the relationships that the "screws" build with the "cons".
Most of it is a real eye opener, but some of it left me absolutely gobsmacked. There are individual chapters detailing what happened in some of the authors more memorable incidents, eg how a prisoners riot started, prisoners self harming, attacking screws.
What makes Screwed such a compulsive and gripping read though is the fact that most readers will be able to relate to a lot of what happens in a screw's working day. You work with the same kind of people in all walks of life. The big difference is, that as a screw when one of your colleagues is only concerned with furthering their own career than doing the job, it puts your life at risk. And it happens every day.
The tension and stress of walking around all day surrounded by murderers, rapists, drug dealers and junkies (still off their heads inside the nick) is encapsulated perfectly here, and you also get an insight in to how that affects an officers personal life.
A fantastic read that confirmed to me that I never want to be a prison officer (or a prisoner for that matter), but if the day ever comes when I feel like restraining someone who's covered themselves in their own faeces and wants to bite me, then maybe I'll change my mind.
Definitely worth a read.

Brilliant read
An excellent book which I read within just a few days - I found the writing style OK, a bit like having a natter over a pint (or six). I've never been to prison and this book's a good deterrent!

Brave and to the point
As a serving Officer I can confirm that this book is a great insight into the role of Prison Officers in the overcrowded Jails in society today. Ronnie makes no bones of his hate for 'bent screws' and self serving Governors. Some of the writing is a bit bravado, but on the whole this is a true reflection of a lot of Officers that I know. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Prison life for the uniformed staff. It does come across as brutal in places but I'd say a true reflection. It also highlights a lot of what the public don't see. The roles that we have to take on every working day. Unseen by the public and under valued by the government. Good on you Ronnie